Fear flickered in Chen Bian's eyes. His tone shifted abruptly. "Commander Annie, please forgive my momentary lapse of reason. It is only that Liu Tao's forces cruelly slaughtered my soldiers, leaving me beside myself."
The girl named Annie sighed inwardly. "Truly befitting of a president. Such a rapid change of countenance is quite remarkable."
"I am aware that Liu Tao's forces attacked one of your military encampments tonight, but the loss of a mere eight hundred-odd personnel should hardly cripple the 'talented' Taiwanese army, wouldn't you agree?" Annie remarked with a hint of mockery.
"You are unaware of the full extent of the matter, Commander! I subsequently dispatched my beloved son at the head of a two-hundred-man investigation team to look into the matter. Who knew that the cunning mainland army had not only massacred over eight hundred of my brave soldiers but had also planted heavy explosives? My poor son… just like that…" Chen Bian's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke.
"I see. In your parlance, I offer my condolences, though the deceased cannot be revived…" Annie was not fooled by the old fox's tears. "Commander! Liu Tao's attack on our forces was not solely to inflict damage; it was also a direct challenge to the United States' repeated strikes against their transport units. Even if I were to swallow this insult, what would become of America's prestige?" Chen Bian exclaimed indignantly on behalf of others, as if he were an American citizen himself.
"President, you worry needlessly. We Americans are perfectly capable of safeguarding our own reputation; your concern is unwarranted. If there is nothing further, President, perhaps you should return early. This underground base is rather chilly; prolonged exposure might be detrimental to your health," Annie finally finished peeling her apple, admiring it with an expression akin to gazing upon a priceless artifact. Little did she know that she herself was the dazzling jewel in everyone else's eyes at that moment.
Even Chen Bian, a veteran of decades in the treacherous currents of romance, found himself momentarily captivated by the demeanor of this girl barely out of her teens.
However, a president remains a president. Chen Bian swiftly composed himself, his amorous thoughts receding. Finding polite entreaties futile, he decided to dispense with pretense. He slammed his hands forcefully on the expansive desk. "Little girl, you perhaps do not yet realize whose land you stand upon? America may be powerful, but even a cornered rabbit will bite! At worst, I will eliminate you now and claim the mainland army did it. America will be powerless to retaliate!"
Annie ceased her "admiration" of the apple, her gaze shifting to Chen Bian.
Chen Bian's hands began to tremble, cold sweat tracing paths down his cheeks and dripping onto the tabletop. He was truly afraid, feeling as vulnerable as a lamb caught in the gaze of a lion. He wanted to say something more to ease the tension, but the opportunity was lost. Annie suddenly sprang from her seat, instantly pinning Chen Bian to the ground, using the apple in her left hand to gag his deceitful mouth.
"Who do you think you are? Do not forget your place; you are merely a 'dog' of our nation. I require no instruction from a dog on how to conduct my affairs. I will handle Liu Tao; you need not trouble yourself so much, understood?" A gentle smile graced Annie's lips, but to Chen Bian on the ground, she appeared a terrifying woman.
"Now, you go back and take a bath, watch some television? If you dare to make any unauthorized moves…" Annie continued to smile at Chen Bian, the knife in her right hand suddenly piercing through the apple in his mouth. Chen Bian thrashed violently, realizing he was unharmed, the blade having just grazed his throat. Another inch, and…
"Alright, you may leave. Remember what I said." Annie stood up and returned to her seat, retrieving a fresh knife and apple to peel.
It took Chen Bian ten minutes to slowly rise from the floor, and without a word, he exited the office.
"Commander, the attack report on the Third Military Encampment is in," a cold voice echoed from the dark corner of the office after Chen Bian's departure.
"Read it," Annie said, ceasing her peeling and reclining in her chair with her eyes closed.
"The results of the investigation from 'Angel' to the Third Military Encampment indicate that the attacker was a single individual, utilizing a 7.62mm caliber sniper rifle, a small-caliber handgun, and a vibration-enhanced combat dagger. There were numerous severely distorted bullet casings on the ground, leading to the preliminary deduction that the enemy possesses 'Titan' metal-based armor. However, there were also some strangely distorted bullet casings, resembling those deflected by human muscle. Therefore, it is inferred that while the enemy possesses 'Titan' metal armor, it is not a full-body covering like that of 'Punisher.' The sniper rounds used by the enemy were high-velocity armor-piercing rounds, the same type that killed the 'eyes' observing Liu Tao's movements on the eleventh. It is deduced that this was the work of one of the four individuals Liu Tao met that day. Commander, the conclusion provided by the intelligence division is…"
"Special Operations Team Seven!" Annie, her eyes snapping open, suddenly interjected, her gaze fixed on the source of the voice.
"Yes, Commander. It is confirmed to be China's secretly researched 'final trump card' – Special Operations Team Seven."
"It seems China also recognizes the significance of this war," Annie said with a smile.
"Commander, your orders!" the cold voice said, a hint of excitement lacing its tone.
"'Satan,' notify your teammates. 'Punisher' team, stand by. In three days, on the eighteenth, prepare to show China who the true king of individual combat is! Ha… ha… ha…"
"Yes, Commander!"
February 17, 2011, within the forward operating command center in Kaohsiung…
"Commander Liu, issue the order!" Secretary Chen said anxiously, pacing back and forth in front of Liu Tao. "The seven-day leave is over. If we don't order the troops to attack Taiwan soon, morale will likely plummet!"
"That's right, Commander! My subordinates ask me every day when we can advance on Taipei City! I'm so embarrassed I don't know what to say!" Li Dezong, the air force fourth division commander, chimed in.
"Enough!" Liu Tao slammed his hand on the table, even Secretary Chen, who was always by his side, having never seen him so angry. The conference room fell silent.
"Secretary Chen, find the personnel of Special Operations Team Seven for me!" Liu Tao said, settling back into his chair.
"Commander, ever since you met with them three days ago, they seem to have vanished from the base. I initially assumed you had dispatched them on some mission," Secretary Chen said, still slightly apprehensive of Liu Tao's current demeanor.
"Impossible? They've really been lying in wait for three days?" Liu Tao murmured to himself in astonishment.
"Commander Liu, could you please instruct us on what to do now?" Li Dezong asked.
"Sigh…" Liu Tao let out a long sigh. "Proceed with the planned area-denial attacks on the surrounding areas. Try to minimize damage to structures and drive the Taiwanese forces northward. That is all. Carry out your orders."
"Understood!" Everyone rose and offered Liu Tao a standard military salute before exiting.
"Now I can't help you anymore," Liu Tao muttered to himself, a sudden cold sweat breaking out on his brow. "He wouldn't use SEED here, would he?!"
It was already the third day, and the Punisher team had yet to arrive. But 13 had not moved an inch from his ambush point. There was no water, no food. Although his longest period without sustenance was seven days, he was beginning to feel a slight hunger. Fortunately, a considerable amount of dew condensed on the COOL-FIRE every morning, solving the water issue. 1 and the others were in the same situation as 13.
Today was the day the collective leave ended. Activity stirred throughout the base. Liu Tao should be starting to make some moves? 13 only hoped he hadn't been forgotten, but even if he had, it didn't matter. 13 was accustomed to it. He briefly closed his eyes to rest; the most vulnerable time, the night, had passed. Now the base was bustling with people; nothing should happen. 13 seized the opportunity to rest, having not slept for three days. Once the troops departed, the base would become exceptionally empty, the perfect time for an attack. 13 knew they would come, because his body was trembling slightly. 13's intuition was remarkably accurate; it had saved him countless times on the battlefield.
At noon, the base fell silent once more. 13 awoke. The vibrations transmitted through the ground would numb the body's senses, forcing him to rely on his eyes to assess the surroundings. Judging by the frequency of the tremors, they were caused by mortar fire impacting the ground, not too far away. It seemed Liu Tao had decided to initiate area-denial attacks, intending to herd the enemy together for elimination? The ignorant uncle from back then had matured. He truly longed to return to that time, when that uncle was like a radiant sun, making those around him want to lean on him unconditionally. Even he had wanted to rely on him, foolishly taking a bullet for him, even though 13 knew he was far more important.
Suddenly, the ground vibrations changed. Tanks? No, it was the frequency of human running, but something was wrong! Too heavy and too fast! Were they here? Finally, they would meet. Punisher, Special Operations, and "Punisher" were like the two poles of the world. From childhood, his instructor had told him, "You must鍛煉 your bodies into steel! You must磨練 your consciousness into steel! Your hearts must also become steel! Because your enemies are a pile of steel!"
Wiping the undrank dew from the COOL-FIRE, he peered straight ahead through the holographic helmet directly connected to the scope, silently counting, "Three more minutes."
"They're coming! Towards 13's position. Only one? Cannot move, the other 'protagonists' haven't appeared yet. 13, you're on your own," 1 thought.
"Finally here! Almost died of waiting. Ambush missions like this should really be left to 13 and 1. Towards 13's position? The kid's really lucky. With him there, there's no fun to be had," 36 thought.
"Towards 13's position? If it's him, he'll be fine," 24 thought.
East Gate of the Base…
"What is that? So much dust, can't see anything!" the guarding soldier said nervously.
"Halt! Or I'll fire!" another soldier raised his weapon fearfully.
The target did not stop, only emitting the characteristic whirring sound of a Gatling gun's rotating barrels. Half a second later, the gate and the two soldiers had been turned into "persimmons."
"Cannot fire yet…" 13 thought. He had to wait, wait for a fleeting opportunity. 13 understood he was a sniper, not God. There was no requirement to save people in a mission; all he could do was kill it!
The dust settled at the gate. Slowly, slowly, a fully armored individual mech emerged.
Titan metal reflected a faint crimson light.
"Confirming enemy weaponry and equipment! Handheld Gatling gun, modified barrel exceeding two meters. An unfamiliar firearm on its back, judging from the shape, likely a shotgun-type weapon. Close-quarters combat blade at the waist. Basic combat capability, unable to assess," 13 sighed with interest. "Looks like this time, I might actually die."
"'Angel' has 'descended' upon the base. Commencing 'Punisher' mission?" The mech before the gate remained stationary, awaiting orders.
"Commence. You have only half an hour; that's the fastest time for Liu Tao's outer perimeter forces to return. I don't want to see any damage to the mech. Eliminate all hostile entities you encounter. I want that place to become hell!" Annie said calmly into the communicator.
"'Angel' understands!" The mech moved.